Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-06-02
A FALLEN IDOL

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girl of eighteen, with braids of blue-black
hair coiled around the back of her small,
Greek shaped head and color as rich and
velvety rs the side Of IA July peach.
"Humph I" said Aunt Sara. "ive heard
girls talk No before and IL generally ended In
one thing.
"For shame Aunt Sara sried Ethel
coloring up 10 her eyelashes 81 only
mean, of course, that he Is very agree
able companion"
"An agreeable companion-of course, ="
said Aunt Sara. Look Ethel do you
think white Maltese lace of French blonde,
with heading of Roman pearls, would be
prettiest for this berthe %
Aunt Sara knew when 10 drop subject
and when To hold ON 10 il But when Eth
al MAS sItrrrug INC quilting of French
blonde on 10 the white silk dress her young
aunt's mind was busy upon the topic she
had apparently abandoned.
'The disagreeable fellow" thought Aunt
Sara. "He has some how heard that Ethel
has money, and he is determined 20 win IL.
If she could only Sec him in his true light
but know what "A perverse thing wo-
mans heart is. just rs sureas ! attempt Ia
tell her what he really is she'll make up her
mind that he is the finest and least appre-
ciated parsonage on the face of the earth.
And did so want her Ia keep her heart
whole until Earl Wells comes 10 be Chale's
groomsman. Earl Wells is worthy of
princess
''They say he is perfectly intolerable at
home" Sara said 10 herself. CLARA Wat
ers was there once and heard him rating his
sisters fearfully because the beeisteak for
his late breakfast was n little overdone. If
only could manage ii that Ethel should
see him in his true light"
She sat and thought a while longer-and
suddenly the color bloomed into her cheeks,
and dimples into her chin she started up.
Ethel" she said, 'I'm sure you must be
tired of sitting over that everlasting stitch
ing I've got 10 go over 10 Susy Morand's
TO borrow a pattern. II will be just pleas
ant walk for us"
'sTo Miss Morand's ." Ethel was veXed
with herself, but she could not help the tell
tale blood that surged into her cheeks.
'Isn't IL rather early? Only o'clock y
early Not a hit Susy and l are 50
intimate that we don't mind curl papers
and calico wrappers. Get your hat and
come along quick -
But, in spite of her eXhortations Ia speed,
Sara Martell smiled 10 herself 20 perceive
that Ethel Hunt fingered long enough in
her own room 10 change her black lace
breast-knot for n becoming little butterfly
bow of rose colored ribbon, and 90 rearrange
the dainty tendrills of silky black hair that
dropped SO carcssingly over her low, broad
forehead.
''si'o thiuiss shall see Julian Morand,
she thought TO herself. "Well, perhaps we
shall am putting myself entirely in the
hands Of lack and chance"
But when they reached the Morand man
sion. instead of ringing formally at the front
door. Miss Martell went around To the back
porch, little entrance all shaded with hon
eysuckles and trumpet vines
~ always 60 in here" said she nonchal-
antly. in reply TO Ethel's demonstrating
glance. "Sue Morand and l are just like
sisters"
Sue Morand, blooming girl of eighteen,
was in the kitchen making apple pies.
"The pattern? Ofcourse You shall have
IT," she cried. "Just wait n minute till
get it,
.I'n 90 with you," said Sara. ethel,
you'll not mind wait for us here ?"
seNot in the least" said Ethel. And she
sat down by the window, where ivies, train
ed I'm bottles of water, were creeping like
green Jewels across the crystal panes of
glass.
"Sue ? Sue I" She started the voice of
her prcux chevalier of the evening before
came roaring down the back stairs. 'Con-
found you all down there, why aren't my
boots blacked? ? Sue Mother Nell
What's become of my breakfast You
must think man has nothing TO do but TO
lie here and wait all day for you lazy folks
TO stir around"
There was no reply as he paused, appar-
emily expecting one. Mother" was down
in the garden under big green sun-bonnet,
gathering scarlet-cheeled tomatoes for din
ner. ''Nell" was in the front yard picking
ed-veined autumn leaves out of the gold
and russet drifts that lay like treasures of
precious stones upon the grass.
Sue was shut up among the mysteries of
"pattcrns" innumerable, with Miss Sara
Martell. Ethel Hunt sat coloring and half
frightened, the sole auditress of Mr.. Nor
and's obiurgations.
81 know there's some one down there -
he shouted. al can hear you breathe and
your dress rustic. Just like your ugliness
not TO answer n fellow ! Do you hear, Sue?
Black my boots, quick I'm waiting for
them -
And bang bang came the useful ar
ticles of wear in question down the winding
stairway that led TO the kitchen.
Poor little Ethel She half rose up, then
sat down again, piteously undecided what
to do, and even while she hesitated, with
color varying like the red and white of the
American flag in n high wind, the door ut
the foot of the stairs flew open and in
stalked Mr.. Julian Morand, sallow and dis
heveled, with unkempt hair and beard, fret
fully curved mouth and most nnbecoming
costume of n Turkish dressing gown, faded
pearl-colored neither garments and stocking
ed feet thrust into red morocco slippers.
81 say, you," he snarled out, 'why don't
you-"
And then perciving to whom he was act
ually addressing himself he started back,
turning fiery red.
"Miss Hunt %
And, with n downward glance at his toi-
let, he fairly turned and fled, the skirts of
his Turkish dressing gown floating like red
and orange meteors berhind him. And,
mortified and terrified though she was Ethel
Hunt could not resist the temptation to
break into peal of hearty laughter.
I. L..